Raiden Ryoma Arrested

Although Kiana claimed she was going to the convenience store to find food, He Cheng-rui suspected she had other motives.

Just as He Cheng-rui had predicted, there were indeed traces of a battle with Shi near the convenience store.

If Kiana came here tracking the Honkai's traces, it seems she'll be entering Senba Academy soon.

But, so close to home? I never thought I'd come this way.

Speaking of which, isn't it a bit early for the two of them to meet?

Is it my fault?

Making too many changes will invite the backlash of fate. I won't make that mistake again.

For now, I won't keep Kiana here.

Just as He Cheng-rui had thought, Kiana accepted Mei's kindness and chose to leave. He Cheng-rui didn't stop her.

But the gears of fate had already begun to turn.

After bidding farewell to Kiana on Saturday, He Cheng-rui found her in his class on Monday.

He Cheng-rui frowned slightly, feeling a bit annoyed, but he had no choice but to accept the current situation.

"Hehehe, the bread was so delicious."

"...Kiana, I won't say anything about you sleeping in class, but can you at least not disturb other students?"

A classmate next to her woke Kiana up. Kiana looked around groggily, then smiled at her classmate and scratched her head.

"...Let's continue with the lesson."

"Mei's cooking is so delicious, I wish I could eat it every day!"

"You're exaggerating, Kiana. The teacher's cooking is much better than mine."

"Really? I haven't tried it yet!"

Saying that, Kiana put down her bowl and looked at He Cheng-rui with anticipation.

"...Next time."

So why did Kiana end up living with Mei?

Understanding that Siegfried and Raiden Ryoma were behind it, He Cheng-rui was still somewhat annoyed that the plot was deviating from his control.

After dinner, they were supposed to help with the dishes, but He Cheng-rui refused.

"Drip, drip."

He turned off the faucet, and residual water droplets continued to fall.

He Cheng-rui stared at the bowls in the sink for a long while, then sighed.

"I shouldn't have given Kiana that bread."

The following days were uneventful. He Cheng-rui's routine consisted of going to work, reading, and offering Mei some advice on her cooking.

Even with two Herrscher power banks, his rate of improvement was far slower than in the previous civilization.

However, it was sufficient for the current civilization's strength.

On November 16th, He Cheng-rui learned of Raiden Ryoma's arrest.

At least the plot hasn't changed too much.

I hope Mei can hold out until March 28th next year before becoming a Herrscher.

As expected, as soon as the news of Raiden Ryoma's arrest spread, Mei's life underwent a drastic change.

Her usually friendly classmates began to distance themselves from her and target her everywhere.

After a while, Mei would see vulgarities carved on her desk every day at school.

Walking on the street, she could also hear people discussing her, and the content was unbearable.

Kiana and He Cheng-rui, being the closest to Mei, were naturally affected as well.

But the two of them didn't care.

"How is it?"

Mei asked nervously as He Cheng-rui tasted her dish.

He Cheng-rui didn't say anything, just nodded.

"Yay! Mei, Yoshikage Kira approves of you."

Seeing He Cheng-rui nod, Kiana immediately hugged Mei and cheered.

"Kiana, you're too close."

Mei blushed but didn't push Kiana away.

"I don't think gaining my approval is something to celebrate. Also, Kiana, can you stop calling me Yoshikage Kira?"

"Hmph, didn't you say it yourself last time, 'My name is Yoshikage Kira, I am 33 years old,' and so on and so forth."

"If you don't want me to call you that, then make me a cake."

"You're really calculating, Kiana."

He Cheng-rui didn't refuse. He got up to make Kiana a cake, and Mei would get some too, of course.

Might as well be raising a cat, He Cheng-rui thought.

After finishing the cake, He Cheng-rui saw them off and returned to his room to rest.

He opened his status panel and found that there were still three days until the next simulation.

I wonder who I'll draw next time.

The impact of Raiden Ryoma's economic plan was still ongoing.

The next day, when they returned home, the three of them discovered that Mei's house had been sealed off.

The three were helpless, sitting silently on the sofa at He Cheng-rui's house.

I can't let the power bank escape now.

Thinking this, He Cheng-rui asked, "Mei, how much money do you have left?"

"Enough to last for a while."

"Then stay at my place for a while."

"This..."

"Kiana, what do you think?"

Seeing Mei hesitate, He Cheng-rui interrupted her and asked for Kiana's opinion.

Kiana understood immediately and declared that she would be staying with He Cheng-rui.

"Then it's settled. There are empty rooms on the first floor, so you two can tidy them up yourselves."

With that, He Cheng-rui got up to start cooking.

"Mei, don't just stand there, come help tidy the room!"

"It's okay! Even if we don't have a house anymore, I'll always be with Mei!"

Saying this, Kiana pulled Mei off to tidy the room.

"Mmm~ Teacher's cooking is so delicious."

"Of course, Mei's cooking is delicious too!"